SR0756 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0756 LRB103 39172 ECR 69318 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Roberta Lea "Bobbie" Johnson of Springfield, formerly of Manito and Peterson, who passed away on December 20, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson was born to Ernest Albert and Hazel Irene (Tackman) Beebe in Manito on May 27, 1929; and

WHEREAS, Along with her husband, Bobbie Johnson owned and operated Gene's Food Stores located in Manito, Petersburg, Bloomington, and Pontiac; she became the first woman to serve on the board of directors of the National Association of Retail Grocers of the United States; and

WHEREAS, For the past decade, Bobbie Johnson was a resident of Concordia Village, where she led the Ladies Discussion Group and served on the Welcome Committee and the Scholarship Committee; and

WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson attended Laurel United Methodist Church; she served on the board of the First National Bank in Petersburg; she was a member of the Mason County Lady Landowners and the Order of the Eastern Star, where she earned the rank of worthy matron; and

WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson was included in the Who's Who of American Women book; and

WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson was civic-minded and always eager to help others; and

WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Marquardt; her partner, Ahto Saviste; and her sister, Greta Alexander; and

WHEREAS, Bobbie Johnson is survived by her children, Brad (Christine) Marquardt, Richard (Lori) Marquardt, Ginger (Larry) Rickmann, and Jennifer (Jeffrey) Adkins; her grandchildren, Shane Marquardt, Melissa (Tim) Groh, Stacy (Mark) Shepard, Courtney (Shirley) Marquardt, Christopher (Chelsea) Marquardt, J. Travis (Darcy) Woodrum, Adelaide Adkins, and Carson Adkins; her great-grandchildren, Ella Shepard, Samuel Groh, Brooklyn Groh, Sadie Groh, Aiden Woodrum, Brianna Woodrum, Kaylie Marquardt, Chandler Marquardt, Sophia Marquardt, Kenzie Marquardt, Cole Marquardt, and Carley Marquardt; and her great-great-granddaughter, Magnolia Marquardt; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Roberta Lea "Bobbie" Johnson and extend our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and all who knew and loved her; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Bobbie Johnson as an expression of our deepest sympathy.